1. Depression
1.1 Description and Sub-Categories
Depression is a mental condition that inflicts great suffering and usually the sufferer can see no reason for their condition. The causes of it are multi-factorial and only partly known. However, some aspects of known brain chemistry help us to see what brain biochemicals may be out of balance and why.
Depression is a state which all of us experience from time to time, usually as a result of some distressing circumstance. From the many patients suffering from ‘depression’ it is important to separate a group who have certain features in common – important because these patients are often fairly rapidly responsive to some form of treatment and because, if left untreated, they are the most likely to commit suicide. The clinical features shown by this group include:
- Insomnia of a type characterised by early waking after two to three hours sleep
- Diurnal variation of mood in which the depression often lifts considerably towards evening
- Slowness of thought and inability to make decisions
- Ideas of guilt, unworthiness and self-blame which are often delusional in intensity
- Various somatic manifestations such as loss of appetite, loss of weight, headache, backache, constipation, and retardation of physical activity
The forms of the illness include:
- Endogenous depression
- Manic depression (manic depressive psychosis)
- Involutional melancholia
- Reactive depression
1.3 Manic Depression
The classical form of this illness is characterised by the patient developing at different times contrasting moods that include both depressive and manic phases. This illness involves much more than just ordinary mood swings but the whole personality is disturbed in a profound and sustained way. The manic phase is characterised by becoming increasingly talkative, an increase in self-assertiveness and in activity.
1.6 Nutritional Treatment of Depressive Illness
The depressive patient usually has a degree of whole body chronicity that is affecting the performance of the brain. Thoroughgoing naturopathic treatment is therefore entirely appropriate to such patients. If the brain tissue, with all its delicate mechanisms is working under a chronic load, then one expects to be able to improve the position by activating the brain tissue and detoxifying it.
Diet and Lifestyle
Diet and lifestyle factors needed for avoiding or securing release from depression include maintaining adequate general nutrition. A good balanced wholefood diet is needed, free from the use of tobacco, medical drugs and environmental toxins, especially toxic metals, solvents, pesticides and herbicides. Exercise is to be very much encouraged, since it tends to lift mood.
The dietary design needs to be one that will support the improvement from a hypoglycaemic position. There will be an emphasis on fish rather more than meat, with a special emphasis on pulses, and on the combination rice/vegetables/pulses. Abstinence from stimulants (caffeine), alcohol, sweets and sugar should be rigorous and absolute.
The practitioner needs to maintain awareness that many depressions are linked to allergies. Where that is the case, little recovery can be expected until the patient is relieved of the constant stress of allergen exposure.
Essential Nutrients
Depression is known to respond to:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Zinc
- Vitamin B6
- Folic Acid
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Omega-3 fatty acids
5-Hydroxytryptophan
The amino acid tryptophan was a very useful supplement until the authorities banned it. Its value was in providing a precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin, increasing serotonin level and therefore benefiting depressed patients. These days 5-Hydroxytryptophan may be used in its place (e.g. 100mg three times daily), thereby avoiding the use of antidepressant drugs, with their side effects.
St. John’s Wort
Herbal adjuncts to therapy can play a major role in treating depression. St. John’s Wort is valuable, but its action is somewhat drug-like, so its use may have to be long continued unless the depression is relieved by other life factors or by other treatment. It is best seen as being like a drug yet with the advantage of freedom from the side effects of the tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo is useful in depression. It is inevitable that one consequence of a mild degree of cerebral ischaemia is the reduction of mental activity, contributing towards depression. To alleviate the causes of the ischaemia is likely to result in relief of the depression.
2. Anxiety States
2.1 General
Anxiety is a state of anticipation of something unpleasant about to happen, accompanied by a feeling of inner tension, and somatic manifestations such as tense muscles, sweating, tremor and tachycardia. Unsatisfactory hereditary factors are prominent in the genesis of an anxiety neurosis, manifestations of anxiety being frequently found in the parents.
The outstanding feature of the illness is the anxiety, with its accompanying feeling of inner tension and unpleasant anticipation. Sometimes the anxiety is referred to a potential happening, but often it is a diffuse feeling unrelated to any particular event. The ability to concentrate is impaired, and constant fears make decisions difficult.
Somatic symptoms are also prominent. There is a general tenseness of the musculature, a fine tremor of the fingers, profuse perspiration, raised pulse rate, and the patient sleeps badly.
2.2 Nutritional Treatment of Anxiety States
There is wide agreement that the diet and lifestyle calls for an approach that will be effective in minimising lactate formation. Avoidance of alcohol, caffeine beverages, sugar and food allergens are central to that aim. Moreover the patient needs to be protected against any possible deficiency of calcium or magnesium or of the B vitamins nicotinic acid, B6 or thiamine, usually by using supplements. Provision of an ample supply of Omega 3 fatty acids (often supplied as flaxseed oil) is also important.
3. Stress
3.1 General
Sources of stress can be emotional, mental or physical. It can, indeed, occur as combinations of these. Continuous experience of negative emotions works through the nervous system to overstimulate the adrenal glands. The result is an emergency ‘fight or flight’ response, with pulse rate and blood pressure raised.
3.2 Diet and Lifestyle Factors
To cope, it is necessary for patients to make life changes to reduce the stresses, or else adapt to the things that they cannot change to make them acceptable. Exercise and a varied, well-balanced whole food diet are supportive in unavoidable stressful situations. Dietary recommendations include avoidance of caffeine and alcohol, elimination of refined carbohydrate, increase of potassium intake relative to sodium, taking regular planned meals and avoidance of food allergens.
3.3 Indicated Supplements
The following supplements have been implicated in helping with stress management:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Trace element formula, especially for Zinc
- Vitamin B complex, especially B6 and pantothenic acid
- Vitamin C
- Inositol
- Panax ginseng
- Herbal formulae containing valerian (calming)
- Eleutherococcus senticosus
References
- Murray & Pizzorno, ‘Encyclopaedia of Natural Medicine’, Prima Publishing (1998)
- Werbach, M.R., ‘Nutritional Influences on Mental Illness’, Third Line Press, California (1991)